2 men killed by machinery accidents in Defiance Co.

5/23/2006

DEFIANCE - Two Defiance County men in their early 40s died after separate occupational accidents that happened about 18 hours apart over the weekend, and a third man was injured when he attempted to rescue his brother who died.

Rodney Sindel, 42, who lived in northwestern Defiance County, died in Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind., where he was flown after he became pinched in a skid loader with a back hoe attachment.

He had been using it to excavate at a residence on State Rt. 49 and became trapped about 8:20 p.m. Saturday.

Shortly before 2:20 p.m. Sunday, David Wiemken, 41, became caught in a silo auger. He was pronounced dead at the farm where he was working on Adams Ridge Road in northeastern Defiance County. Mr. Weimken's brother, Tim, 45, who was injured when he tried to free him from the auger, was flown to Toledo Hospital. Tim Wiemken was discharged yesterday.